Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent Essay Topics & Writing Assignments

Essay Topic 1

Examine the beginnings of the conquest of Latin America. What factors led the Spanish to finance Columbus's trip? What were the results of that voyage? What were the missions of Cortez and Pizarro? How did the natives react to the invasion? What were the factors in the defeat of the great civilizations of Latin America?

Essay Topic 2

How has the coffee industry helped Latin American economy? How has it hurt Latin American economy throughout the ages? Who really profits from the coffee trade? What Latin American countries are the largest exporters of coffee? Has coffee contributed to the Latin American "hunger wages"? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Why has the USA historically benefited by "not being important," while Latin America's fate has been seal by its importance? What kinds of resources are found in Latin America that are not found in the USA? In the...